The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) awarded Lourdes A. Báezconde-Garbanati, PhD, the 2020 AACR Distinguished Lectureship on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities. Dr. Báezconde-Garbanati presented her award lecture, “Optimizing Engagement to Reduce Disparities Among Hispanic/Latinos/Latinx and Other Underserved Communities,” during the opening session of the virtual AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved.
Lourdes A. Báezconde-Garbanati, PhD
Dr. Báezconde-Garbanati is Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and serves as Associate Director for Community Engagement for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Báezconde-Garbanati is a leading expert on the theory and research methods that are integral to advancing the understanding and mitigation of cancer health disparities. She has been instrumental in developing and testing effective interventions that employ innovative communication strategies, outreach activities, and partnership development to enhance community health with a focus on reducing tobacco use, preventing substance abuse, and cancer control.
Community Outreach
Dr. Báezconde-Garbanati focuses her work on tobacco and e-cigarette use, one of the most critical cancer disparity issues affecting the Hispanic community. Her research on the marketing, sale, and regulation of tobacco in relation to Hispanic communities has been integral in helping to shape California’s progressive tobacco policies.
Dr. Báezconde-Garbanati has made major contributions to addressing cervical cancer disparities in Hispanic/Latina and African American women. Her community-based, transdisciplinary approach led to the creation of a culturally targeted intervention, described in the Journal of Communication in Healthcare,1 which increased cervical cancer screening in the target area of East Los Angeles.
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